***Official*** South Africa In Australia

[Manee]

May I note that I believe that Dale Steyn will have a superb Test series, striking approximately every 35-40 balls. Australia has a significently larger amount of effective swing (that which is not played comfortably by batsmen) available than other nations, with the possible exception of South Africa,

 

[aussie]

Once all are fit, the best bowling combination for Australia should be:

Lee
Clark
Johnson
Watson
Krejza

But i also feel Symonds to play, real heache for the selectors. Hopefully no crazy selection are made & the give it the KISS...

 

[Son Of Coco]

No it doesn't, it's a blanket generalisation that doesn't apply to anyone posting in this thread, and I don't see the motivation for even bringing up something like that except to stir ****.

It applies directly to the person I was responding to.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Kerry O'Keefe - Dale Steyn is a pie thrower

Shut up old man, give the guy a bit of credit. If it were Brett Lee or another Australian fast bowler, you would of creamed your pants.

The last sentence might be a bit over the top prediction-wise, but I wouldn't take Kerry too seriously...there are some funny lines in there and he does talk up the SA batting.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Who has taken 68 wickets in 11 tests this year..

ur th idiot lolz

Well, Steve Harmison was no.1 in the world once too...I hope Steyn is all he's made out to be and does continue in the same vein though as it'll make for an interesting series. And I'm certainly not saying he's the same as Harmison.

Edit: The fact he did well in the sub-continent certainly points to more ability than Kerry suggested.

 

[Precambrian]

It applies directly to the person I was responding to.

No need for generalising then. Your initial remark was as clueless as to your defence of it.

 

[pup11]

This will be a heavyweight showdown.

Steyn v Lee

Kallis v Ponting

Smith v Haydos

Box Office material.

How could you not mention Jesus' name, he is a certain blockbuster....

 

[Lambu]

The last sentence might be a bit over the top prediction-wise, but I wouldn't take Kerry too seriously...there are some funny lines in there and he does talk up the SA batting.

awta

 

[Briony]

According to our news services, Steyn has a hamstring problem.

 

[TT Boy]

According to our news services, Steyn has a hamstring problem.

Yeah he didn't take a full part in training today.

South African media just reporting it to be a slight 'niggle'...

 

[Langeveldt]

At least without Steyn we can find an excuse for getting pummeled more easily..

 

[Matt79]

Hoping the SA bowling attack avoids the curse that seems to strike most visitors - don't want Steyn hurting himself day 1 of the first test.

According to our news services, Steyn has a hamstring problem.

Kinda called it days ago, although its come a bit early.

 

[Craig]

Not CSA'S fault, they asked and were told where to go by CA...

Then **** over CA when Australia tour next.

 

[Top_Cat]

May I note that I believe that Dale Steyn will have a superb Test series, striking approximately every 35-40 balls. Australia has a significently larger amount of effective swing (that which is not played comfortably by batsmen) available than other nations, with the possible exception of South Africa,

The last time the ball seriously swung in Australia without assistance from the weather, players were wearing flared creams. If Steyn is going to do well, he won't do it because of excessive swing.

For what it's worth, I think he'll do okay. But a bowler of his type, I reckon, needs at least one series to sum up how to bowl here before he dominates. As superb a bowler as Allan Donald even took the first series to acclimatise.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Steyn will get belted here. He bowls too full for Australian conditions, which rarely swing. He'll be superb in the return leg in South Africa though.

 

[Precambrian]

India = Ball swings less = Steyn was gun.

 

[Johnners]

Skull may be an absolute nutter, but the bloke knows his cricket, one of the better analysts in Australia imo. I don't exactly see what he's said wrong in his article, he's echoing the thoughts of many re: Steyn struggling in Australian conditions due to a lack of swing. Difference between O'Keefe & most others, is that he'll at least admit it when he's wrong, and likely crack many funny at his own expense about it.

 

[Johnners]

India = Ball swings less = Steyn was gun.

Indian grounds are quite different to Australian grounds despite the fact that neither are overly conducive to swing.

 

[Precambrian]

Indian grounds are quite different to Australian grounds despite the fact that neither are overly conducive to swing.

Indian grounds tend to more batsman friendly than Australian grounds.

 

[Top_Cat]

Indian grounds tend to more batsman friendly than Australian grounds.

I'd say the ball swings just as little in Aus and India but the variable are the pitches. Swing bowlers have historically at least been in with a chance in India, I suspect due to the low bounce i.e. they can pinch a few wickets with balls that might sneak under the bat or just not bounce all that much. Mick Kasprowicz, Andy Hoggard, etc. all have decent records in India because they basically aimed full and at the stumps.

In Aus, almost without exception, the higher bounce exposes swing bowlers a bit more. If the ball isn't moving a lot, batsmen just use the pace. So if you're not hitting the seam, you're going to struggle. Many distinguished swing bowlers have left Aus with their reputations pretty severely dented. Wasim Akram is the last one I can think of who did really well, even if his last series here was pretty ordinary. Strongly suspect that, aside from being just a great bowler, his height helped him get stuff out of the pitch I reckon Steyn might not.

Still we won't know for sure until the series starts. I hope he does well, love watching him bowl.